The functional limits of adolescence

dealing with the superego

Authors

Keywords:

Adolescente, Amygdala, Limbic system, Prefrontal cortex, Superego

Abstract

Objective
This article seeks to understand why adolescence is a phase of constant change, often characterized by fear, anxiety, and confrontations, examining the physical relationships in the brain and the psycho-emotional structure of adolescents. 
Method
Through the psychoanalytic perspectives from Dolto, Freud, Roudinesco, and Zimerman, alongside neuroscience contributions from Blakemore, De Menezes, and  Stefaniszen, this study aims to understand the plasticity of the adolescent brain.
Result
Observation of articularly the Prefrontal Cortex and Temporal Lobe ins adolescence – and the structure of the Superego. The goal is to provide an overview of boundaries, guilt, anxiety, fears, identity, self-observation, moral consciousness, and the formation of ideals in adolescence.
Conclusion
Adolescents exhibit certain behaviors such as excessive morning sleepiness, agitation, lack of attention and cognitive difficulties that, as the research indicates, are often part of a neurobiological structure and other times part of emotional symptoms. This research made these observations to help parents, health professionals and educators in caring for adolescents.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Bethlehem, R. A. I., Seidlitz, J., White, S. R., Vogel, J. W., Anderson, K. M., Adamson, C., Adler, S., Alexopoulos, G. S., Anagnostou, E., Areces-Gonzalez, A., Astle, D. E., Auyeung, B., Ayub, M., Bae, J., Ball, G., Baron-Cohen, S., Beare, R, Bedford, S. A., Benegal, V., ... Alexander-Bloch, A. F. Brain charts for the human lifespan. Nature, 604(7906), 525-533. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-04554-y

Blakemore, S. J. (2011). Há uma reorganização no cérebro na adolescência: an Interview with Sarah-Jayne Blakmore. Público, caderno P2. https://www.publico.pt/2017/12/10/sociedade/noticia/e-possivelmudar-o-cerebro-dos-adolescentes-o-que-e-bom-e-mau-ao-mesmo-tempo-1791640

Blakemore, S. J. (2012). O misterioso funcionamento do cérebro adolescente. TED Global. https://www.ted.com/talks/sarah_jayne_blakemore_the_mysterious_workings_of_the_adolescent_brain?language=pt-br

Capelatto, I. A. (2024). O adolescente na virtualidade da psicanálise. Papirus.

Capelatto, I. R. (2010, July 14). Psicoterapeuta defende o medo nesta 5ª na Rádio UEL FM. Agência UEL de Notícias.https://www.uel.br/com/agenciaueldenoticias/index.php?arq=ARQ_not&FWS_Ano_Edicao=1&FWS_N_Edicao=1&FWS_N_Texto=10339&FWS_Cod_Categoria=2

De Menezes, L. S., & Stefaniszen, V. (2020). Traçando os possíveis contornos do superego na perversão. Boletim Formação em Psicanálise, 28(1), 42-69.

Dolto, F. (1990). A causa dos adolescentes. Nova Fronteira.

Edify Education. (2023, Sep 22). Neurociência: entenda como funciona o cérebro do adolescente. Edify. https://edifyeducation.com.br

Lima, A. P. (2010). O modelo estrutural de Freud e o cérebro: uma proposta de integração entre a psicanálise e a neurofisiologia. Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 37, 280-287.

Neto, L. P. L. (2015). Núcleo accumbens humano: da anatomia à imagiologia e clínica. Universidade de Lisboa.

Roudinesco, E. (1998). Dicionário de psicanálise. Zahar.

Schwienbacher, I., Fendt, M., Richardson, R., & Schnitzler, H. (2004). Temporary inactivation of the nucleus accumbens disrupts acquisition and expression of fear-potentiated startle in rats. Brain Research, 1027(1-2), 87-93.

Zimerman, D. E. (2009). Fundamentos psicanalíticos: teoria, técnica, clínica – uma abordagem didática (pp. 83-84). Artmed Editora.

Zorbetto, R. (2022, June). Study maps brain evolution over a lifetime. Pesquisa Fapesp, 316. https://revistapesquisa.fapesp.br/en/study-maps-brain-evolution-over-a-lifetime/

Published

2025-07-16

How to Cite

Capelatto, I. A., & Soares, Ângela M. (2025). The functional limits of adolescence: dealing with the superego. Psychological Studies (Campinas), 42. Retrieved from https://puccampinas.emnuvens.com.br/estpsi/article/view/12466

Issue

Section

COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, PERCEPTION AND NEUROSCIENCE